My husband and I came here since it seemed to be a popular spot with a lot of options that I like. We lucked out and found a spot on the street within walking distance and showed up closer to 6pm (definitely beat the dinner rush) on a Saturday night. We got lucky and were able to be seated as a walk in party. The backbar at the entrance was pretty amazing, and we only opted for a couple of cocktails since we planned to do more drinking later. We were shown to the patio area and thankfully they had heaters since it was a bit chilly. Lively atmosphere and it took me awhile to realize they had indoor seating, patio seating, and more seating with a private parking lot in back. The tables were kinda cramped but I feel that it only added to the ambiance of being nice, cozy, and appropriate for all ages (kids-adults). The server promptly greeted us and gave us menus to choose from. I opted for the Carajillo (listed on the dessert menu) and my husband had the Untamed Paloma (mezcal forward). The presentation and taste were delicious and spot on. For our meal, we got the Cast Iron Cauliflower (had a bit of spice to it) and the Sourdough bread. We also got the Wild Striped Seabass and the Chicken Milanese. Both were pretty good portions and made it a bit challenging for us to finish our meals. Presentation was perfect and the flavors were spot on. For dessert we opted for the Affogato. It was ok and given that I love coffee everything it was ideal after our meal. They did give us the first option of the Dine LA menu items, but my heart was set on either a pizza or the options that we went with. Honestly, it was quite good. Service was amazing and the wait staff and busses were definitely on their A game. They also had given some good suggestions too, so I would highly recommend stopping in if you have a chance. read more

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What a fantastic experience from start to finish. The drinks here are absolutely amazing -- perfectly balanced, creative, and clearly made with care. You can tell there's real thought and pride behind the bar. The customer service truly stood out. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly without ever feeling rushed or forced. It's the kind of service that makes you want to stay a little longer and come back soon. The ambience is spot-on -- comfortable, stylish, and welcoming, making it a perfect place for a family experience as well as a relaxed night out. It's rare to find a place that strikes that balance so well. And I have to say it: the green beans are to die for. Seriously. Order them. You'll thank me later. Highly recommend this place -- we'll definitely be back. read more

I actually want to give this 4.5 stars. Casey was an excellent server, and the rest of the staff were terrific. Excellent ambience, comfortable for our party of nine, and an overall excellent experience. Most of the dishes are five star. I hate brussel sprouts, but was encouraged to taste it by my grandchild, and it was delicious. The artichoke hearts were outstanding. Maybe the best dish was a scallops on a bed of risotto. The short rib lasagna was sensational. The peach cobbler was delicious as well. A bit disappointed that the pizza was served so long after the rest of the dishes, and we're probably my least favorite dishes. I so enjoyed this place for the first time, and will happily come back again, and again. read more

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We were a big group, which they accommodated very nicely, the atmosphere is pleasant. we tasted a large number of plates on the menu. Mixed thoughts, but overall the consensus was that between menu options, price, portion size and flavor it probably won't be one of our go to place. Appetizers were great, the pasta dishes were good, butwe weren't ooo'ing or aww'ing over anything. a tad disappointed with the chicken and pork which were dry. The pizza was good, the crust prepped very well in the nice pizza oven. The service was great, attentive and very respectful so that's a big plus. This is all subjective obviously, the potential is there. read more

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We tried the Prime NY Medallion, Ricotta Cavatelli, and Chicken Under a Brick, and overall had a great experience. The Prime NY Medallion was cooked perfectly and paired really well with the fingerling potatoes and pan jus. The Ricotta Cavatelli with fennel sausage and broccolini was rich, flavorful, and comforting, with plenty of sausage in every bite. The Chicken Under a Brick was juicy and tender, and the asparagus and balsamic chile glaze complemented it nicely. The service was good but nothing especially memorable. That said, the staff was very accommodating and handled it professionally when we needed to send a dish back, which we appreciated. The highlight of the restaurant is definitely the ambiance. The lighting is warm, the space feels modern and inviting, and the overall vibe makes it a great spot for a relaxed dinner. The atmosphere alone is enough to make us want to come back. read more

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Really solid option for dinner! Nothing crazy special but the drinks were really good. Something to try and share a couple dishes with a group of friends. The vibes were just okay but sometimes that's ok! read more

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Cute spot in Santa Monica that does have that "local" feel. Came here for an early dinner with my family and we had a great time. The meal was leisurely and relaxed. We ordered the charcuterie board to share for the apps and it had a nice mix from local farms alongside a salad. I had the brick chicken, which is apparently a restaurant favorite. My boyfriend really liked his bolognese pasta and my dad similarly enjoyed his cavatelli. Portions are reasonable and we ended the meal with a chocolate budino. I had a pumpkin spice latte which ended up just being a tea with a lot of milk. We sat outside and the vibes were very chill. Our waitress was friendly and a lot of families with young kids were also sitting on the patio. read more

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Wow, our food was AWESOME, I only wish I had more!! And my drink was delicious and a good portion for the price. We had an amazing server who was so kind and helpful with all of our questions! I forgot her name, but she was awesome. Also the ambiance here is lovely. Will come back again and bring my friends! read more

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I have not been here in a while, but today the food was great, ( mushroom pizza and salad). The service was on point and the ambiance felt so local I'm returning soon. read more

Nice Sunday dinner here. Welcomed warmly upon arrival and seated in a nice dining room. Was given the option to sit outdoors as well. Had a delicious Manhattan and two pasta dishes. Both were excellent. The chopped salad was good too but I added some salt ;) nice big portions. Pasta was fresh and well balanced. Also got the garlic flatbread with the parmesan foam which was WOW. Had no room for dessert but will try next time. Also want to go back for pizza. read more

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Had a lovely dinner at local kitchen! A nice quiet neighborhood spot, and we managed to get a reservation on the day of which was great. The fusilli with vodka sauce was excellent, and everyone enjoyed their meals and drinks. read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - Fusilli, pan seared scallops, crispy brussels sprout - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

5/5- perfect spot for dinner. Great wine list, as well as cocktails. They were so kind and let me try multiple wines before I settled on the right one. Wonderful salads, pizzas, pastas, wines, and more! Great indoor or outdoor options for smaller groups, and a tented option in the back lot for large parties. read more

This place is pretty awesome. It's really great food at a fair price. I love that things are designed to share as it helps you get to try a bit of everything. The ahi appetizer for example turned someone who believed they didn't like fish and seafood into a fan They also have really great pizza made fresh on site. This place is small so reservations on busy nights are a good plan. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and if you sit in the bar/pizza oven area - they have TV so you can watch sports read more

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Local Kitchen is one of those places where you end up lowkey salivating over every dish. The pureed corn with scallops? Silky and rich. The grilled peach, burrata, and arugula salad? Summer in a bite. Don't sleep on the Brussels sprouts -- crispy, savory perfection -- and definitely save room for the olive oil cake. Light, moist, and the perfect sweet finish. The outdoor patio is super cute too -- cozy, casual, and great for date night or dinner with friends. Total win from start to finish. And service was top notch! read more

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The perfect little place to decompress after an interview (and I got the job thank you very much) Arrived around 3pm for a glass of red and the place was exactly what I needed...quiet. I had spent the past few hours being "on" and wanted to have a drink to mentally regroup. The place was empty, but I was quickly greeted by Angel who happily poured me my first glass of wine. After a bit, I took another peek at the cocktail menu and chose the Redwood "en root". Probably the best cocktail I had in a bit. I'm a huge fan of ginger and this drink was perfectly fresh and spicy. I also love this part of Santa Monica. I was previously in the 3rd street area and this was tucked away on ocean park and away from the hustle and bustle of the busy parts of SM. Cute and relaxing afternoon spent at Local. I'll happily come back when the mood strikes. read more

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This restaurant is in a super cute area of Santa Monica and is very charming. It was pretty busy when we came on a Tuesday night but nevertheless the service was great. We loved the Olive oil flatbread - that Parmesan sauce is delicious. I also really enjoyed the tomato braised meatballs and my drink - the untamed Paloma. We also got the broccolini, the hangar streak and the bigoli (cacio e Pepe). They were also good but not my favorites when compared to other restaurants. read more

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I recommend making a reservation for Local Kitchen + Wine Bar on Resy in advance. It's located on Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica, and we were easily able to find metered street parking. As far as food, I strongly recommend Chicken Under Brick ($28) with balsamic chile glaze, charred onions. shishito peppers, & pan jus. Bonus points if you order it singing "Brick House" by Commodores like I did. I strongly recommend the chilled Stolpman Vineyards 2021 vintage So Fresh G.G.T. chilled red blend of Grenache, Gamay, & Trousseau, which is primarily composed of Grenache. $72/bottle. For those looking to explore bolder reds, the Cabernet "Cab" Franc from Idiot's Grace vineyards in the Columbia Gorge AVA paired well with the heartier dishes. Also $72/bottle. read more

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Amazing as always. The sea bass was phenomenal. But we miss the bone-in rib eye and beet salad. Please bring it back next season. Service is really good too! read more

Neighborhood place - nice menu. Everything was delicious. Tuna tar tar, beat salad with goat cheese, hangar steak with grilled onions and whipped parsnips. Yummmm Oh and they have great pizzas! We didn't have this time but they have a huge pizza oven and they are equally delicious. read more

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I was very disappointed !!!!! I made a reservation a month prior to the dinner date. It was for my birthday celebration. I chose Local as it is close to my home, my favorite place and has outdoor seating. This was of major importance as my brother in law is immune compromised and can not eat indoors. Upon arrival we were told they only had two servers and the outdoor patio was closed!!! My sister and brother in law could not stay, as it wasn't safe for them. I did not sense any consideration in their part or accommodation. They offered to open the doors ! I truly didn't feel any understanding on their part and the manager repeatedly said I should have called and specified, which I felt was placing the blame on me and it was my responsibility! The web site at that time said outdoor seating for parties of 8 or more. read more

Had a great evening here last night. The food was delicious - especially the squash blossom pizza and little gems salad. The service was excellent, and Kim, the GM, was amazing. Great margaritas too! read more

A couple friends and I came here for a nice dinner to meet up. For my first time at this restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by everything they had to offer. To start off, the table setup was great and they had many options for different sized groups. We got the artichoke hearts, the sourdough bread and the meatballs for the appetizer, and two margarita pizzas for the main course. But we have to say, the ice cream that they serve was our favorite part. The chocolate was rich and sweet, and the raspberry sorbet was light and paired extremely well with the chocolate. The presentation of the food was also great. Altogether, it was one of the most satisfying meals I've had in a while, and the service was superb. Our servers, Nicolás and Eve were incredibly kind and gave us plenty of time to order and such. All in all, I would highly recommend this restaurant for a nice, delicious meal! read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - Chocolate ice cream - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

If you want disgusting food with bad service you have definitely choosen the correct restaurant to come to. Not to mention overpriced and small portion meals Ugh how disappointing this was considering people reviews. I guess you can't trust reviews anymore read more

A beautiful, cozy spot in the Santa Monica area. They do have a limited amount of parking in the back, but I found that street parking is usually easy to find in the area. My party and I came about thirty minutes before our reservation, but the hostess kindly seated us. I came during dineLA, so took advantage of that 3 course for $65 deal. As an appetizer, I was able to try the yellowtail crudo and burrata. I found both pretty basic. The yellowtail was a bit too oily and salty for my liking. The burrata was mild in flavor, but the strawberries that accompanied the dish was a nice touch. For the pasta we were able to try the tagliatelle and corn agnolotti. The tagliatelle was nothing special, but the agnolotti was my favorite dish. It was nothing like I've tasted before. The agnolotti was cooked perfectly and the inside corn/cream mixture was super flavorful. I highly recommend this dish. For the main and final course, we were served the hangar steak and the Ora king salmon. Both were cooked to perfection, but the chimichurri sauce that accompanied the steak was super flavorful and not too oily. Overall a really great spot for good food that won't break the bank. I would love to come back to explore their menu more. read more

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OH MY GOODNESS WHERE DO I START??? The service and servers are so incredibly nice. They are always so welcoming and recommend what to order on the menu. I would recommend stuff but everything is just so good. The place is also really cool. The place is spacious and really nice. From the pizzas to the pastas to the bread everything here is amazing and I would totally recommend overall if they had the choice of ten stars, 10/10 read more

This is our local "go to "place . Great dinner date spot . Love the food . Good service as well ! The Beef tartar read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Wow, came here for dinner on a business trip to Santa Monica. This place is delicious. Started with a French 1736, their version of a French 75 (their address is 1736...). Gin, Prosecco, blood orange, st elder and lemon. I really liked this cocktail. Then we shared a beet salad and baby artichoke hearts. The beet salad had candied pistachios--never had those on a salad before, but I loved them! I'm not a big artichoke fan, and was pleasantly surprised by that dish. They were pan fried and served on Parmesan cheese. For mains we had the hanger steak and the squash agnolotti. The squash dish, a little like mini raviolis, was delicious. The lamb was a bit over salted, but I find a lot of restaurant food to be overly salted. The hanger steak came with seasonal mushrooms. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The homemade horseradish was the best I've ever had! The restaurant itself has a nice indoor section and a heated patio and a little bar. Looking forward to another excuse to come here for dinner! read more

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This was an unplanned find while still on the road finding a place to eat . Chicken under brick - Classic dish chicken was succulent , cooked to perfection , boasted a crispy skin that was juicy , tender meat . The onions were complimenting the chicken so well leaving us satisfied. Ora King Salmon - cooked well had a buttery texture that melts in your mouth . Surprisingly it wasn't dry since it didn't come with a sauce and pairing of the veggies completed the meal well . This was a gem find for us and we'd recommend as a must try . read more

I don't ever leave reviews, but unfortunately this evening, New Year's Eve, was an extremely disappointing night at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar. I live in the area and wanted to take my family out for a nice New Year's dinner so made a reservation earlier in the week for 7:30. I had heard great things about the restaurant. We arrived 10 minutes early and one of the three of us was sick, so we were only two - which is always a relief not a problem for seating. The restaurant was either overbooked or because it was me and my teenage son they felt they could treat us like walk ins on a busy night. They offered us a hightop on the patio - on a very rainy and cold night - where she said she "wasn't going to lie - it is pretty cool and damp" or the pizza bar in front of the ovens and next to where the servers are picking up food. Neither of these "tables" are what you offer to people who have made reservations on New Year's several days in advance. After asking if they really didn't have a regular table to offer us even if we waited some - she said no - that the pizza bar and patio tables are part of their "reservation system." I said never mind, we'll just head home - I had made a reservation to have a nice dinner with my family. She then said she would have a table if we were willing to wait 5-10 minutes - which I pointed out I had already opened with saying we would happily wait for the table as we were a few minutes early. We stepped to the side and after a minute and really feeling very unwelcomed and unwanted, we decided to leave. I have spent many years working at a restaurants as both a host and server and know this is not how you treat customers who have made reservations at your establishment - particularly on big nights such as New Year's. So, if you have anything special and you would like a restaurant to give you an actual table after you've made a reservation, I would have to suggest looking to spend your money and time elsewhere. read more

Great neighborhood restaurant ! Food service and atmosphere is great. A must try. You will not be disappointed

This is our first real neighborhood restaurant, we've been coming since it opened, and it has evolved into one of my favorite restaurants. It's consistently satisfying and special. If you like elevated California Mediterranean fresh ingredients, healthy food, then this place is a must-visit. What prompted me to write this review is our recent visit last night, which turned out to be one of the best meals I've had in a really long time. The variety of dishes that have consistently delighted my taste buds includes their salmon dishes, the chicken under the brick, and all of the pastas and salads. It's hard to pick a favorite when everything is so good! The standout dishes from our latest visit were the clam chitarra pasta, ricotta cavatelli with mushrooms, Caesar salad, tuna tartare, and the mushroom toast. Each bite was a burst of flavor, and I couldn't get enough. In my opinion, this restaurant is the best in the neighborhood by far, and I can't recommend it enough. read more

Dropped in this restaurant with a friend to grab a celebratory drink and they were packed. Must have a reservation on a Saturday night - even if it's raining in LA (which is super rare haha) We ended up grabbing food somewhere else but came back for a drink at the bar. Honestly we came back just because the host was really trying hard to get us seating / very welcoming and the environment was really nice. Glad we came back. Had a great glass of the cab from Paso Robles - perfect night cap with my friend. We just sat at the bar. The bartender was the perfect level of attention to us without rushing up or pestering. Great service. We all know prices are higher than pre-Covid. It's cheaper to grab a bottle and hang at the house but life is short at its nice to go out. Great service makes it worth ever single penny. Will be coming back! read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - Wine - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Food and ambience were great! Service was the opposite; hostess wouldn't give us the table we wanted claiming it was reserved, but in our view,, it was empty the entire time we sat there a little over an hour. Also, I asked my waitress what was in the drink, and to describe the pasta I wanted. (The menu had all very exotic names and descriptions),, She didn't know what ingredients or how to describe either and seemed put out both times when I asked . Since the food was so good, it shouldn't have been a problem. But, since I used to work in a service/restaurant industry for years, and when you're spending almost $100 a person for a nice meal with cocktails, I believe the Server should at least know how to describe the food. I recommend the cocktail called Mrs curtis . From the dinner menu ;The pasta w/ clam sauce ( might be seasonal ) . And the flatbread , burrata. read more

Giving this place a One Star review because of the poor service and rude attitude of the host. We had a reservation for 7:00pm on a Saturday, however, we were not seated till 7:30pm. When we had asked about getting seated the host was outright rude. We did complain to the manager as well but she basically brushed us off as well. Food was ok, but I don't think I will ever come back to this place. read more

First time here and I am very tempted to come back. A lot of dishes on their menu looked delicious! It was hard to choose. Between the four of us we had the burrata, brussels sprouts, tagliatelle pasta (cacio e pepe made with gluten free pasta), the squash agnolotti, and the brick chicken. It was a great amount of food for four people and with two teas and one alcoholic beverage, it came out to $45 total a person. Full but not overly stuffed and we were able to finish everything except some bread. Really pleased at the portions and how we were able to share to try so many things at a reasonable price point. Best dishes - 1) brick chicken was so juicy and had an amazing light sauce that one person in our group said "i just want to lick it up." I loved the caramelized onions with it and couldn't get enough of this dish. 2) squash agnolotti with lamb was a little sweet (from the squash) and the salty, soft lamb struck a good flavor balance. I will say this dish felt a little luke cool when it was served. But flavors still great. This is the only pasta dish they cannot make gluten free as they are already stuffed. The others were good but pretty standard. I will say I expected more from the cacio e pepe in terms of cheese/ratio of sauce to pasta. Now the best part and why I may want to come back--I was waiting for my ride to pick me up and ended up chilling in the bar talking to the bartender who was cleaning up for the night. He said his favorite dishes were the octopus, salmon, Caesar salad, and pizza with meatballs on top (not on menu but the cool makes it after each shift for the staff). Not sure if you can get this pizza but obviously we did not order any of these favorites and now I want to come back to try them! He seemed trustworthy and direct, very personable. It was actually chilly tonight so I was worried about eating outside (I also made a reservation and was a little peeved we got seated outside) but pleasantly surprised the back part was relatively protected and warm near the heat lamps. So, not ideal but also not bad. The hostess in the beginning did mistake me for another party and then when my actual party arrived walked right by me at the bar. So not as smooth as I would have liked but it's also not that big of a deal. read more

Ambiance is lovely on the patio. Service was very nice and our lunches came out quickly. Food-wise--maybe I ordered wrong. I got the farro salad and added grilled chicken ($25). The salad was insanely salty and the chicken was dark meat with a lot of gristle. It was so expensive for what it was. Our server (who was, just to be clear, very nice and otherwise on top of things) didn't ask how the food was, and if she had I would have told her. But given that I'm trying to avoid dairy, there wasn't really anything else on the menu that seemed like it would work for me. My friend ordered the olive oil flatbread and I had a bite and it was delicious, which leads me believe I ordered wrong. Still, based on my experience I don't see myself returning. read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - lunch farro salad - SO SALTY!!! - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

First time at Local. service was awesome. Jessica is an awesome server. she was very attentive and always polite. The pizzas were ok. i loved the patio in the back it was quiet. i didnt even go inside but it seemed very busy and loud. read more

Local Kitchen and Wine Bar - pizza - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Dined at Local Kitchen & Wine Bar for the first time with my girlfriend and had the pleasure of being served by Josh this evening. His service was fantastic: friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the drinks and food. For drinks we had the Islay scotch cocktail, kiwee sour, and Oregon Pinot from Willamette Valley as well as a taster of the dragons breath by Trefethen. The scotch drink was my favorite and very well balanced with hints of spiced ginger. Both wines were excellent with the dragons breath being a more tannic blend of Malbec, petit Verdot and cab whereas the Pinot was very light with bright acidity and a total juice box. For food we had the olive oil flatbread, tuna tartare and veal pappardelle. All of them were exquisite. The pappardelle pasta was probably the best pasta I've had in west LA and was truly a treat. Portion for the pasta was plentiful and I will be thinking about it for the rest of the week. For dessert an Affogato and butterscotch budino. Would definitely pass on the budino but the Affogato was very nice - the espresso was not bitter at all and of a nice roast. Will definitely return to see Josh again and grab that pappardelle pasta and to try the brick chicken that he said was his fav. Highly recommend checking out this spot if you haven't yet! read more

A must for all LA, WLA, SM and Venice plus MdR and PdR residents Progressive and fun Menu along with a gracious knowledgeable staff Tremendous Manager Kim is Incredible read more

Amazing mix of foods. They've got amazing Bahn Mi and swiss burger. High quality foods.