We hosted birthday dinner for my wife -- 10 people. It was wonderful. Some of our party were vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten-sensitive. The food -- the Chef's Choice -- was a shared-plates extravaganza, with all sorts of delicious options brought to the table for us each to take as little or as much as we wanted. The vibe was fun and celebratory. The wine recommendation were perfectly complementary. The guests all raved about the experience. Service was great. Food was great. What more could you ask for? Highlights from my own perspective were the tuna crudo, charred goat cheese, burnt heirloom tomatoes and burrata, salmon filet with dill (really crispy skin), and the grand marnier olive oil cake with gelato. But everyone seemed to have their own favorites. read more

It's not often I give enthusiastic 5-star ratings because no one is perfect, but Le Great is Great and deserves to be recognized for it. Let's begin with the location: This concept has been done before in many major cities - old industrial park location, renovated to be an Arts District with food and galleries mixed together. What's particularly nice about this approach is that there is plenty of parking, because you're not competing with a dozen apartment buildings and other shops. We took a Lyft to get here from our hotel near the beach. Next, let's talk vibe: LGO has a modern, open concept dining experience with plenty of shelter from rainy weather, if that were the case (it was a beautiful evening for us, so that was not an issue). As you can see in the photo, because it is wide open, noise is not trapped and you can have a pleasant conversation with your dining partner(s) without shouting or having to lean in. The decor was great! How about service: The staff was super attentive, but not intrusive; a nice balance for sure. The recommendations were spot on and the variety of meal options was outstanding. Now to the main course: My wife and I had meat dishes; she chose the short ribs and I had the special of the day, which was smoked brisket. Both dishes were fantastic and flavorful. With the recommendation of our waiter, we selected cabbage as our side to share (hesitantly, to be honest, because there were so many other options that we would normally gravitate to - but hey, let's try something new) and we were glad we did. Everything was outstanding! The meat was tender and tasty and the cabbage was a perfect compliment. Pair with a delicious Syrah, we could not ask for more... and we didn't. We were stuffed! As such, we did not have dessert. In short, Le Great Outdoor was a fabulous choice if you are staying anywhere near or in Santa Monica. read more

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We had a great experience - came with the fam and we all loved everything we shared. We had the charred goat cheese tartine, grilled cabbage (surprisingly one of our faves!), chicken skewer, shrimp skewer, the roasted golden potatoes, the roasted carrots with hummus and the ribeye with Chimichurri. We had a cucumber lemonade, a delicious iced tea, and the NA beer on the menu - plenty of NA options . Our servers were all very friendly, very helpful, and very attentive throughout our meal. We were tucked into a corner of the patio so we had a nice private spot where is was easy to enjoy conversation. Good vibes with with string lights, plants everywhere, and a view of all the action happening at the grill. read more

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I really wanted to like this place but everything was so mid and not memorable. The ambiance is nice but the patio chairs and tables are so uncomfortable that they kinda ruin the vibes. Service was good and attentive so I'd give that a 5. The best dishes were probably the grilled carrots with hummus and the burrata. The octopus was in a spicy sauce like chili oil. The short rib was overcooked and not tender at all. The chicken skewers were like they're trying too hard to make chicken satay with peanut sauce. I'd come back for drinks but honestly they need to do better with food here. I felt like this place has so much potential but sadly nothing was really outstanding... read more

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Cozy spot to get a perfectly sized lunch meal and made me a fan of grilled cauliflower! Went there unannounced but were able to seat us so reservations are recommended. We started with the fire roasted cauliflower. Oof! That was incredible. I never thought something like that could be so satisfying and filling! The skewers were also perfect. Highly recommended. Just about everything is shareable and I also recommend you do that. It'll allow you to try more things! Save some room for dessert too. Lots to choose from! Misc: The service is polite and very helpful. Especially to newbies. Really enjoyed the outdoor and shaded patio. A must. Would definitely come back and more than once! read more

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Came here on a Saturday late afternoon. Parking was easy, there's a lot with plenty of spots. The ambience was super cute, nice patio area and lights hanging around. Would be a really cute date night spot. Service was good, wasn't hard to get their attention when we needed something. We got the goat cheese tartine, two chicken skewers, and a half rack of Lamb. The lamb was the best dish. Really moist and herbaceous topping. The chicken was also pretty good, I loved the flavor of the drill on it and the peanut sauce was not too heavy. But it was $20 per skewer! The tartine was tasty, but nothing special, I think it could easily be made at home by slathering goat cheese on a slice of bread, broiling it, and then drizzling honey. not much more to flavor complexity. Overall, really enjoyable meal, but I think some dishes were pricier than what it was worth. read more

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Came here for a special occasion with a couple friends and really enjoyed it! Got the octopus, cabbage, cauliflower, branzino, and the half chicken special. The octopus was tender and I liked the sauce; the chicken was perfectly juicy; the vegetables felt unique and were highlights. Our server kindly filleted the branzino for us after seeing our hesitation to dig into it. Presentation was beautiful and sitting outside was so lovely. Walked in without a reservation on a weekday and there was no wait. The price at the end felt quite reasonable, including a few glasses of wine and a shared dessert. Will be back to try more dishes! read more

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I usually eat here twice a year: today I ate here again. I was about to order a hamburger via online ordering menu, but as I couldn't pinpoint a time of arrival I went in person. Twice previously I had a hamburger for lunch: the menu states potatoes, once they substituted bbq potato chips (not on the menu) because: "It's the weekend & we don't serve potatoes on the weekend w/ our hamburgers" This is really poor service, trying to cut corners. Back to today. good thing I didn't order the hamburger online, as today when I arrived & placed my regular order I was informed: "We don't have hamburgers on weekends, we don't have lunch on weekends either... We only serve Dinner!" Such b.s. I was so hungry & because I had to be at the gallery until 5:00, that at 1;30 I ordered goat cheese toast (1 piece of bread w/ a thin smear of goat cheese, a drizzle of honey & a smattering of almonds, & a sprinkle of wilted flowers $17 I also ordered a skewer of chicken w/ a peppery peanut sauce (I hate pepper).. $17! Get this NOTHING came with the chicken skewer, no bed of greens or rice, NOTHING, just a skewer of chicken covered in sauce on a plate and it wasn't even chicken breast, it was thigh meat... The server Alex was wonderful, but the food & prices were an insult, which showed. In the past, one had to wait 10-15 minutes or longer for a table, but today the restaurant was almost empty, and after my meal I understood why. Such greed on the part of the owners/management (every item a'la carte) that I'll never eat there again! When it comes to the point that you are no longer willing or able to offer your customers the dining experience that they are used to having, then maybe, just maybe, it is time for you to review your updated business practices or close your establishment. read more

I give this place 4 stars but if yelp offered half stars it would more likely be 3.5. I've been here a couple of times now and my experience has been the same both times - the aesthetics and vibes are very cute and cozy. European garden vibes. Good for both date night but also for groups. Good for a casual night and for celebrating something special. Now to the food - I think the presentation is absolutely gorgeous. But the flavors are just pretty mid. There is no single dish I can really rave about. There are some I would suggest over others, such as the chicken skewers and the branzino and probably the steak, but even those are not necessarily that mind blowing considering the price point. The heirloom tomato caprese salad was very flavorless and felt like a waste. The white rice was pretty poorly made (sticky and overcooked). The cauliflower was okay (lacked flavor). So overall I would say it's a cute place to go for the vibes and they have very easy parking (huge free parking lot) which is obviously a plus on the west side especially. But be ready to spend a bit more for food that won't leave a lasting impression. Our server was super sweet and attentive to us so no complaints there even though I have read other reviews with others having issues with the service. I guess we got lucky. read more

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I came here on a date and the food was absolutely delicious and fresh. We got the chicken skewer which was my personal favorite, I wish I would just have that at home at all times and eat it on salads or with veggies on the side. We got a lamb chop, which was surprisingly good because I usually don't care for lamb but this was seasoned well where you don't get the gamey texture or flavor of lamb. We got a sardine appetizer which I think was good, but neither of us cared for the fishiness of the sardine. We got a goat cheese toast which was so yummy, and a must if you like goat cheese. And we got a few beers, which went well with the food. The whole restaurant is outside, and the fairy lights create a very whimsical and romantic ambiance. I really loved this place, and our server was so helpful and patient while I tried to select a wine but I'm not big on Spanish wines (they had quite a few of them). Will be back soon! read more

Food is a 4 star but the atmosphere and service were 5 stars. Group of us ordered most of the menu and everything was good but not great. Everything just lacked that punch of flavor but the standouts were the bruschetta and the ribeye with chimichurri were my favorites. read more

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What a great find located in Bergamon Station Very clean restrooms, solicitous staff. A limited menu at lunch, the lox tartine being my favorite item Dinner has a much larger menu. Wood fired items and grilled veggies Ill be back read more

Fabulous service! I had the short rib and my husband had the brisket, both were amazing. The atmosphere is unique. The restaurant is in an industrial area so, don't panic when you arrive. The space is open and airy but roof covered and cozy with lots of plants and wood features. I highly recommend for a unique dining experience! read more

Love this spot for a cute lunch outdoors. Perfect place to catch up with friends or go out for a work team outing. The lunch combo (Farmers Lunch) is my favorite because you get a balanced variety. You choose a protein, grains, and veggies, as well as a drink. My favorite is the chicken skewer which is delicious and flavorful with the sauce on top. I get it with the pearl couscous and the veggies. I've tried both the ratatouille (which was okay) and the brussels sprouts (delicious). Love the outdoor dining ambiance of this spot with its rustic feels and friendly service. Dinner time is also fun as it's family style shared plates and plenty of food options and a good wine selection. There's a parking lot right in front where you can park for free which is convenient and great! read more

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The service was absolutely abysmal 0 out of 5. Waiter didn't take our drink order for 45 min. Food order was taken 30 min later. We asked for many simple things, like forks and water, both took forever to come... so long our appetizers were cold by the time we could eat them. Food was ok. The ribeye was flavorful, the wine list had a decent selection. For me it was overpriced, bad service, ok food, and nice atmosphere but if you're just there for the ambience, which in some cases you're just looking at corrugated steel then.... It's not worth it. read more

Finally got a chance to try and I am not mad, but also I'm not rushing to head back. Really enjoy the campsite-like vibe and really makes sense with the naming of Le Great Outdoor. The grill at the entrance really is a cool sight to see as you enter at the reception. The long bench tables also add to that campsite feel. The food is a good mix of items so if you have any dietary restrictions, you still should find something. Of what we had, I liked, the bruschetta, grilled octopus, the lamb chops, and the chicken skewers. These stood out because of the flavor that was packed in each bite. Everything else was decent but one dish I really didn't enjoy was the artichoke tartine. Besides that, I think the stars were the desserts. Maybe its the sweet tooth talking but they were really solid and I'm a sucker for a pie. My biggest gripe was the price. Some felt reasonably prices while some felt like they weren't worth the price, even the chicken skewer and the octopus. I am glad I tried Le Great Outdoor but I also feel I couldn't afford to come back often. And yes, you can park in the lot which is great and super convenient. read more

Recommend everything! The loveliest way to spend a summer evening! Felt like we were all on vacation in this dreamy outdoor patio haven. The food was great: tons of fresh vegetable options, salads, grilled meats, and natural wines. Great service, wonderful ambiance. Great for groups. Free parking?! What added sorcery! read more

Le Great Outdoor - Watermelon feta salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We luckily got a spot without reservation for dinner. Romantic and sweet vibes, absolutely loved the set up. The servers were the sweetest, most welcoming folks ever. I highly recommend the goat cheese toast and the chicken skewer, eating them felt like an intimate experience. I wouldn't recommend the Japanese potato. The shrimp skewer was ok. Overall the portions were very small for the price high price. I'm glad I got to check out this place read more

Le Great Outdoor - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came for the $35 DineLA lunch with a friend. We both chose the hibiscus drink, ratatouille, salmon, pearl couscous with radish, cucumber, mint and tomato, and crumble pie. Food was delicious! However, I would've liked to have been asked how I liked my salmon cooked bc I prefer my salmon cooked medium. The salmon was a little overcooked for my preference, but still good. We were surprised that we each didn't get a slice of pie, but had to split a slice of crumble pie. Our friendly server told us she deliberately chose a big piece for us to split. It was enough for the both of us. Sitting on the concrete bench even with a flat cushion was uncomfortable for me. My friend who was in a chair and cushion was fine. Nice ambience in the patio. Good, friendly service. Nice to have a whole bottle of free water to ourselves without having to ask for it. Free parking on the lot was great! read more

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I have friends who are huge fans of Le Great Outdoor, so I've been a few times. I have lots of mixed feelings. PROS - Ample free parking! - Fresh menu and nice wine list. - Vibes are breezy and jovial. - Every plate comes with flowers on it? - The salmon and shrimp are both great. CONS - The service is consistently subpar. On this latest visit, we were seated 45 minutes after our reservation time. Didn't see a waiter until over an hour after we were supposed to have a table. - Small portions with not so small prices. - The food has been all over the place. The broccolini and ribeye were so chewy I almost had to spit them out. - I was given a plate that was noticeably chipped (which is against California health code). The waiter acted like it was a burden when I asked for a new plate and put the broken one back in rotation. All in all, I'll return when my friends request it. But Le Great Outdoor is not on my list to recommend to others. read more

Le Great Outdoor - Dessert board - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

What not to love? Beautiful space, fresh and inventive dishes, nice service. An artist friend came to town, so we headed to the galleries for lunch and to peruse the exhibitions. We started with lunch and since it was a bit later in the afternoon, we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves! We ordered the avocado toast, a Greek salad, and the special smoked burger. We all tasted a bit of everything and loved them all. The burger had a nice extra dimension with the smoke, the avocado toast was on excellent bread, and the Greek salad had fresh herbs that lingered on like a good perfume. The hibiscus tea was offered with some items and it was thankfully unsweetened and very refreshing. Definitely going back to try more menu items! read more

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Highs, meh's, and oh no's. Service was excellent and the patio was lovely. Food was hit and miss for these prices. The brisket and chicken were outstanding, the asparagus was perfectly cooked, and the cabbage was awesome. The sweet potatoes weren't great and dessert was a maaaajor letdown - we ordered two crumbles; both had a mild flavor and chewy texture that made them more like mediocre Marie Callender's. I don't really love the concept of "family style" when the portions are really small, which was the case with some of the veggies and the chicken. For four people, it was about 400 bucks which included drinks. read more

3 of us were hungry after we viewed the art of the station and decided to try the cafe. The waitress recommended we order couple veggies and share a protein. $120 dollars later. Burger.. best item in the menu. We divided that 1/3rd. They had skewer of shrimp, 5 count. So dividing that would be 1.5 shrimp each, for $20, the burger was the best choice. The burger did not come with any sides. Octopus was a scant amount with few suction cups identified. Mainly a jar of artichokes hearts on a plate, flowers and oil. Not worth it, possibly one inch of octopus was in it. Very disappointing. The brussel sprouts were okay, nothing magical. carrots were good. Mixed berry pie was awesome. Outside dining was pleasant and with friendly staff. If one was stranded and had no other access to food, I would get the burger and pie. read more

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I came here with a friend who works nearby (actually we both do, but she is walking distance and frequents here a couple times throughout the month!) The outdoor dining is vibrant and welcoming! I loved the rustic, yet modern decor of LGO. We got two toasts to start - the red pepper stuffed tuna and the bruschetta. Both were delicious. I actually don't like tomatoes (but I eat them bc they are great for you) and to my surprise, I LOVED the bruschetta... Wow. The juxtaposition of the crunch of the bread to the cooling and soft sensation of the cherry/grape tomatoes. Yum. I got the salmon, which was flaky and perfectly cooked... However, I was hoping more dill would be present. It was lacking a bit of flavor for me. The veggies were probably the highlight for me lol. The cauliflower was my favorite and was well seasoned + cooked! Broccolini was good, pretty standard. Mushrooms were good just to throw in! Lastly, the corn on the cob was dressed somewhat like how elote would be, but minus the mayo (which is perfect bc I hate mayo!) All in all, it was a good time to catch up and enjoy a nice 'bbq'-ish style dinner! Oh, we also got dessert... The chocolate hazelnut ice-cream dome, but it honestly wasn't my favorite. I would probably try the olive oil cake + scoop of vanilla gelato next time! read more

I always get the chicken skewers as they are so good and always delicious. This time I tried the mushroom medley, it was good. We also got the goat cheese toast which I have to say was so good! Everyone enjoyed its vibes are always good here. read more

Le Great Outdoor - Mushroom - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Great service and taste fun easy ambiance and they keep adding new menu additions- healthy flavor forward and fresh! read more

Le Great Outdoor - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

First thing's first, there's parking. And not like a tiny lot where you're lucky if you snag a spot, but a whole parking lot. I was ind isbelief when I pulled in and wasn't sure if I needed to pay a $20 valet and was so relieved when I saw that it's free parking. Amazing! Pretty ambiance, tons of outdoor seating with heat lamps for chillier days. Feels casual and cute, good for a variety of occasions like dates or celebrations, and unpretentious. We ordered a bunch of things, as a group of 4 and everyone thought it was enough. -Hummus Tartine: would pass on this, the bread is hard to bite into it and it's not memorable -Shishito Peppers, Mushrooms, Pumpkin: each of these were individual veggies to order but served together. The shishito peppers were great, the mushrooms were a standout. Best of the whole meal. Pumpkin was just eh, would pass on that. -Grilled Octopus (this was a special): good but also not fantastic -Lamb chops (half order): these were good and tasty Have to note, that the presentation of everything served here is fantastic and really beautiful. Lots of florals. I would come here again if I was looking for a good place for a group with nice ambiance and decent food. And the service was great here too, our food came out quickly! read more

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Really liked this place! My sister recommended it and I get why. There is no issue with parking and you don't have to pay for it, which is a big deal for Santa Monica! We sat outdoors and loved the outdoor seating options. We ordered the bruschetta which I highly recommend!! The tomatoes and bread tasted fresh and delicious. We got the asparagus and mushrooms and other veggies. They tasted fresh, but the flavors weren't super impressive. Got some other dishes that were pretty decent. Ended up getting the peach cobbler pie for my birthday dessert and that was so good. Service was great as well --- will be back! read more

why does this restaurant have such a low score? the concept is great, the service is wonderful, food is flavorful- what am I missing? We had a great evening, here. I loved the salmon, cauliflower and the octopus... so much better compared to the score. Check this place out. Sitting outside is awesome. read more

Surprised to see so many negative reviews! This place was great. The food presentation was fantastic and the aesthetics are even better. Service was great, the open grill is awesome, and the food was pretty good! Not a gourmet restaurant but really good. Negative reviews make me think people are going into this place with yelp bias. read more

Honestly not impressed by the food, we went and didn't love any of it. But the ambiance and drinks and service were amazing. The one item we didn't eat they refunded for us without asking which was nice. read more

Got dinner here with a friend who was in town and it was outstanding!!!!! The service was great - Michael was the best!!! The atmosphere was lovely - great outdoor seating!!! The food was absolutely delicious!!!! Will definitely be coming back!!! read more

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I love this spot. The food is great- always fresh, seasonal and flavorful! The ambiance is really cute and cozy, & tucked away. And theres plenty of free parking (they have their own lot)! I also think the service is always on point (unsure why others have left poor reviews of service?). My only recommendation is to have sufficient stock of menu items. There has been several times when their popular items sell out. The last time, we left because the three dishes we wanted, were sold out... real bummer. But otherwise, this a really cute hidden gem. Highly recommend! read more

We almost didn't come here because of their mid reviews but we're so glad we did, the food is just so good. The staff was very friendly our first visit and has been great since every time we've grabbed a quick lunch or takeaway since. They also have great coffee and the basil lemonade is some of the best lemonade I've ever had. The outdoor space is really cute, I just wish they allowed dogs - I totally get why they don't but it would be nice to bring our well behaved dog since they're almost all outdoor seating. Their lunch special is a really good deal, especially for the quality of the food, we love how they change things often and with what is available seasonally. We're doing dinner there this weekend and can't wait, I'm sure it'll be just as great. read more

Delicious. Get the cabbage, you'll need a knife but you'll not be disappointed. Lovely spot on a warm night. Free parking.

I tried gem of a place. I loved the outside space though I think could use a couple more heaters. The food was amazing and the service top knotch. I really appreciated the fact that since we could not decide what bottle to order they have a mini wine tasting bar and we were able to try some to come to a decision! This was pricy so while I wish I could come back right away I definitely look forward to coming back in the future. read more

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Had such a lovely date night here with my boyfriend on 01/28/25! My friends had recommended this place so many times so I was itching to try! Immediately loved the atmosphere and vibe of the restaurant! It was all outdoors and decorated with fairy lights, flowers, and cute blankets. They also had heaters which was great :) Love the style of the menu as well! It's all BBQ and group style so we ordered a few things to share. We got the chicken skewers and salmon as proteins, then some perfectly fluffy white rice, and then the roasted cauliflower and broccolini. Everything was delicious! The sauces and spices were perfect and we enjoyed every bite! Will definitely be returning in the summer. My personal fav was the cauliflower and salmon. The salmon was so perfectly flakey and smooth! read more

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Had an incredible expedience at Le Great Outdoor. From the ambiance, the warm exterior, the service, the food and its presentation, this restaurant impressed me from start to finish. It felt like an intimate backyard barbecue which is a rare feeling to find dining in LA. Everything was farm to table fresh and decorated beautifully with fresh flowers and spices. read more

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Went for a date night and the restaurant has really lovely atmosphere! It's all outdoor seating with heat lamps and lit by fairy lights. It was a full house for Friday night, so you definitely need reservations. It does get a little loud when full, but it wasn't as bad in the upper area where you're a bit more spread out. Our waiter was very nice and gave great advice on how much we should be ordering. The food itself was good! My personal favorites were the chicken skewers and the Brussel sprouts. My only issue is that portion sizes for the proteins are a little small for what you're paying. read more

How would you feel if the caterer you hired for a wedding celebration party canceled on you three weeks before the event? Le Great Outdoor did just that, citing a "scheduling error". We had been talking for three weeks to finalize the menu, I had paid the 50% deposit, I even went to the restaurant to meet the event coordinator. The chef-owner apparently booked something else and did not tell anyone. Honestly it is hard to believe. And he did not even bother to apologize. Awful and unprofessional. read more