My wife and I headed Palma on a date night. The primary reason was to see the Kelly Wearstler-designed decor followed by food and drink. While some of the elements are a bit over the top (highly subjective) the entire space is a treat for the eyes and manages to take a space that could feel cavernous and detached and makes to warm, inviting, and sumptuous. Unfortunately the rest of our experience went downhill pretty quickly from there. We are arrived within a minute of our reservation and were sat immediately (so far, so good). We sat at the table for 20 minutes without a single staff member approaching the table. At the 10 minute marked we asked the couple at the adjacent table who the waiter was (none were to be seen) and they said they were done, they had planned to get dinner but were stopping at drinks. At the 20 minute mark my wife flagged down a staff member (I am going to guess she was the manager) to ask if they could take an order. At this point we were getting annoyed but she turned the evening around. She placed took our order, delivered the drinks, and then hand delivered our waiter (30 minutes into our visit). Honestly, she handled the entire situation with grace, charm, and efficiency. From that point on the service was attentive and friendly. The food menu is limited but competent and tasty. I think Palma could be a solid 4-star dinner location and 5-star bar but it gets a 3 for now. read more

Really delicious dinner not sure why this place doesn't have higher reviews. I'm a food snob and fully enjoyed the lobster pasta, artichokes and crudo!! Cocktails were perfect too. We're staying at the hotel, 10/10 all around. read more

Ambience is nice but food is below average and prices are very responsive. Service was good but tons of Better places for food around here.

Don't go out of your way to visit this restaurant. My husband and I were guests at the hotel and went two times to Palma for breakfast and cocktails- both times we were extremely dissatisfied by our level of service. The problem started with the hostess seating us next to a rowdy pair of gentlemen even with ample other tables available- seems like they seat guests towards the front to make the restaurant appear busier. Eventually we asked our server if we could move tables- apparently this was the largest ask, and took the backburner on her priorities. We must have waited 10 minutes for the approval to move- my husband and I constantly trying to make eye contact with one of the multiple servers standing around having conversations, seeming to ignore the fact we were unhappy and uncomfortable. At our new table, we were served the wrong cocktails, no communication was had, 30 minutes later we had our mediocre drinks. Both occasions, we felt the carelessness of the workers. We went back for breakfast to give it a second chance- big mistake. Slow slow slow service, no water upon arriving- we were asked if we had been helped multiple times before seeing our server- probably waited half an hour for running eggs and a smoothie. I think our biggest disappointment was the fact that there were so many workers, but none willing to help the customers. Go to Ardor in WeHo instead- price matches the service read more

The food good, but overpriced. Service was mediocre. The ambience is California cool, with nice booths and seating for large groups.

Insider the proper hotel, Cool for breakfast time, great atmosphere, awesome breakfast plate read more

Palma - Smoke salmon toast - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I love it here! While I can't speak for the food, I can say the drinks were delicious! I e been here a few times now and I can say it's probably one of my favorite places in Santa Monica. Butch really knows how to make the drinks, and he's a great server! Kelley Werstler did a great job designing this hotel! I love it and I'll be back soon! read more

Located inside of the lobby of the Proper hotel, it's pretty spacious but seating can be limited depending on the time you go. Got 7:30 reservations on a Thursday so we had options to choose from. Our server was very friendly and attentive. I chose the Rose Palomita as my drink of choice and if you like cocktails on the sweeter side I'd recommend this one. For dinner the server recommend the burger I'm not a huge burger person but this burger was amazing the jam definitely was a great addition. My friend got the salad with Brie but they only put 3 cubes of cheese on the salad which was insulting but the server came back with more. I like within walking distance so I'd definitely come back for a drink. read more

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All the cool kids hang out at the rooftop bar, but my wife and I enjoyed the lobby bar just fine for happy hour. The afternoon menu was still decent and there were only 1/2 as many people taking selfies downstairs compared to the roof. That's a win for me. We opted for a few drinks and a charcuterie board. The service was polite and friendly. read more

Palma - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I'm an L.A. native and Santa Monica local, excited to have a new hotel bar/lounge to put in rotation for happy hour, girls night or date-drinks. MAIN REASON you'd come here is for the unique, eclectic, light and airy "California casual" design. Probably appeals more to a female crowd, but definitely a good spot for a more relaxed but still trendy drinks-date. CONS: Predictably expensive. $20 cocktail. $20 small pasta. $15 small "personal size" flatbread" etc. But for a hotel of this caliber you'd expect to pay these prices. Service was a little "all over the place", but I'll let it slide because everyone was very nice and it felt like it was just growing pains with management/staff getting back into the swing of serving a crowded bar/lounge (post pandemic). Limited menu if you're super hungry and want a lot of options or decent (dinner) size portions... or have dietary restrictions. (The menu is basically charcuterie or "market crudite" board, multiple flatbreads, a pasta, lamb meatball or one salad option). PROS: Large variety of seating arrangement and different couches and nooks for small group sizes. Food came out insanely fast! Really nice, personable staff. Very surprised that the sourdough mozzarella flatbread was as goods it was. Did not expect that. Small (one-person), but crust was so fresh and flavors were perfect. I'll be back and would recommend it for locals wanting to try out a cool new hotel bar/lounge spot. read more

Palma - $20 hand crafted cocktail and beer. This was 7pm in summer - very bright inside. - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The drinks were nice, I don't think they were anything special. The ambiance was really nice. I wish I could have decorated my home with the furniture in the bar area. The service was not good. The bald waiter hit on my date to the point that she was uncomfortable. I will not go back. However, that shouldn't stop you from going. read more

Awful overpriced food (i.e. the plant based burger) and the service was terrible. The host was so unwelcoming and weirdly strict about where we could sit even though it was completely dead. I love the interior design but wish the ambiance and hospitality was better. read more

The menu looks very over priced for the choices they have. When my burger & salad arrived, they looked tired and the salad was stale. No presentation what so ever. The beef Patty was juicy but very hard, it took forever to come and I didn't see other people eating. I still give 4 stars thanks to the helpful and friendly staffs who steer away from my tripod and another staff offered to snap a photo for me. 3 hour metered parking and all the furnitures I can play and try seating on. Kids and adults alike playing musical chairs feeling the chairs feel on their butts and spines. So I follow suit and it's mighty fun. I really like the sun filled lobby lounge, a bit warm but it's relaxing. My bf didn't complain at all sinking into their really nice orange leather couch playing with his phone while I took photos. read more

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I mean, the space is five stars for sure. It feels like the 70s (or at least what this 90s kid imagines the 70s would feel like) with some gorgeous modern touches. All of the shapes and textures are totally perfect. If I could plop down and drink cocktails in those buttery leather chairs for the rest of my life, I would. I got here around 5:30 on a weeknight and it was kind of a ghost town, which I was actually pleasantly surprised by because the last thing I wanted to do was fight for a seat at the bar. It seems like all of the spaces are first come, first serve (at least at that time of day), so I cozied up in one of their lounge areas which was a total vibe. I was surprised to read the rocky service reviews as I didn't have that experience at all. Both our host and server were super on top of it without being *too* on top of it, if you know what I mean. I ordered one cocktail--the rose palomita--which was on the sweet side but worth ordering for that gorgeous ombre color. They divide their cocktail list up into "refreshing" and "aromatic" which, by the looks of the ingredients, means "sort of boozy" and "really, pretty boozy." They also have a full food menu with good things to eat whilst drinking (antipasti, cheese plates, etc) and classics like burgers and chopped salad. We didn't get the food this time, but I was impressed by how much they had for a hotel lobby. It's a fancy hotel lobby in Santa Monica, so YES it's going to be expensive. Like, $7 for a club soda and slice of lime expensive. Of course this isn't the type of spot I'd be hitting up every day, but when I need to feel like a 1970s queen, I know Palma's got my back. read more

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After years of admiring the Proper from afar (outside of Philadelphia), I finally found myself in LA. I couldn't afford to stay here but just wanted to see and experience the lobby, if only for a single cocktail before dinner next door. On a frigid Monday in March, with a lobby half empty at 6:15, Andrew, the host, told us every seat at the bar and throughout the "lobby" restaurant was booked. We weren't staying at the Proper and clearly had no status. When I asked simply to walk through, we were rejected. I understand such protocol during COVID, but for a host to do that on an idle Monday in March 2023 -- not even to let someone pass through -- feels wrong. I ask management at the Proper to revisit their hiring, their policies and their choices. read more

Excellent drinks and Avocado Toast!! Located in the Proper hotel, cozy living room type setting with couches, chairs n tables for chatting with friends, enjoying a Fountain of Youth wellness shot of Watermelon Mezcal Margarita they were amazing! It was the perfect spot to wait 15 minutes for my room at the Proper to be ready, which was an excellent idea! The Avocado Toast was Amazing and the best ever! Avocado toast will never be the same elsewhere. The host and wait staff were friendly and did an excellent job! The whole Proper hotel is just a fabulous experience and already planning my next trip. Palma will be 1st stop for drink before going to my room and Avocado toast n wellness shot each morning. read more

I returned back on Saturday and was warmly greeted again by the manager. He provided me with the utmost kindness and respect and provided us with a secluded table. He's an awesome manager, and the service was great. All three of us at my table enjoyed the choice of an 8 ounce steak. The Slice of Chocolate was greatly appreciated by my guest. I thought She was going to lick the desert plate. read more

Beware of 5% added charge on your bill. when we asked Mike, the manager, what the added 5% charge was for he said health and incentives the staff. I said , sounds like an "operating expenwe" you want me to pay for. mike said "it's standard in California ". As a native born CA, I can say it's not standard. it's not about the money...Very tacky manager, tacky surcbarge, not going back. read more

One of the worst managers I've ever encountered: Planned a birthday reservation for 8. In advance of coming, we asked what the cake cutting fee would be, and the restaurant replied 5 dollars a person. We came with the cake and placed it on the table and our server did not take the cake, cut it, or mention anything about it the entire night. After ordering food/drinks, I proceeded to cut the cake myself and serve on spare plates I had brought just in case. Night proceeds as usual, and no mention of the fee. Upon receiving the bill, the server charged us an 8 dollar/person cake fee for doing nothing. When asked about the fee, the manager came and claimed they usually charge 10 a person and only after arguing and showing the manager the original email quoting 5, he claimed that they were "doing us a favor" bringing it down to 5, despite not providing the service they were charging for -- mind you, the cake fee is in addition to a "5% service charge" (misadvertised as 3% on the menu) and a "20% hotel location fee". The waiter proceeded to bring a new tab and mischarged us again. After confronting the manager again, he blamed the mistakes on having a full house, claimed that we brought more people than the original reservation (untrue), and never apologized once. Having managed many establishments myself, I tried to level with him and said "I get what you're dealing with, I've been there", and he proceeds to say "I doubt it" and that they should have "thrown us out for what we did". The level of complete disrespect, and trying to take advantage of a situation which was the restaurants' mistake is completely unacceptable. Between the fumbling with pricing, overcharging, and sense of righteousness, the feeling I got is that the restaurant receives many tourists which they know they can take advantage of. At this point we left without a tip and I will never be coming back. Food review: Ordered a mojito which came with zero alcohol. The hot chocolate was watered down, but had a nice foam, similar to a cappuccino. The one highlight was the truffle fries, which were well done and a large enough portion to share with 2-4 people. Ambience: Nice atmosphere with a good vibe. Would have liked the music slightly lower, but was not unpleasant. Overall, I would not recommend this location. Between the poor management and high pricing, this is not worth what you are paying. Plenty of competition down the street at equally, if not nicer, hotels that do not charge BS fees. read more

My boyfriend and I came here on a Friday night and sat at the bar downstairs. We were helped by the sweetest bartender Richard! He took great care of us, ask for him! read more

Space deserves more than 5 stars! The service is great. Great spot to grab drinks/appetizers before a night out in Santa Monica. I do think they need to have a bigger choice of drinks and food. read more

Best food ever!!!!! Everything about this place is wonderful. Great service, tasty food, good ambiance, nice aesthetic. I recommend making reservations as it is a popular restaurant. read more

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The ambience and decor are amazing. I loved it here and thought it was a great place to have a drink and hang. We were here on NYE and had a late dinner. The service was incredibly slow (2.5 hours) and I could tell we were not the only ones that felt annoyed. I witnessed one man continually trying to flag down a server who just kept walking by and ignoring him. I also witnessed another guy that was seated in the library area with his wife get up and go to the hostess and let them know that they were ready to order. Our waiter never checked in and didn't ask if we wanted additional drinks. We had to ask a busser for the check since our server was M.I.A. It operated like a lounge vs. a restaurant. Not everyone just wanted to chill out all night but the lack of attentiveness left us spending the majority of our night here. Fortunately we were staying on property but if we had other plans this would have been infuriating. read more

We had originally made a large party reservation at the rooftop, Calabra, in celebration of our friend's baby shower. The morning of the reservation, it was POURING rain. The team stepped up, came together, and was able to not only accommodate our party of almost 20 in the lobby lounge, Palma, but they also were able to put together a last-minute menu for us to have the family-style service we requested in Calabra. Kelly Wearstler sets the ambiance of the space which was a perfect backdrop for our event. We had a wonderful time and experienced excellent service from everyone all around. The valet, hosts, reservationists (Ashley), managers (Donny), service team (Krissia and Jonathan), guest relations, and even reception. I can't thank you enough for making it so easy to plan this special event. Also, the food was exceptional. Thank you to the kitchen team and chef. I still dream about the breakfast burrito. We'll be back!! read more

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This bar was such a lovely treat. My husband and I came by for a nighcap and couldn't have had a better time. The main reason being was our bartender, Richard. He a as so accommodating and informative and truly made our night. The proper rum punch reminded me of why I love Santa Monica in the first place. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

Palma - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Guy at front with Afro was very rude today and yesterday, unnecessary, he should be spoken to

I absolutely love this place! The food is great, I love the ambience and the decor, but I especially loved our waiter Thomas! He was super friendly, easy-going, and checked in just the right amount. I will definitely be back, thank you for such a lovely evening! read more

I visited here a couple of days ago and the experience was subpar. the atmosphere is trendy and cozy, but other than that there isn't much else going on for this place. the food was 4 / 10 , the menu is misleading and makes you think you're getting high quality meals. when everyone got their food I noticed the salmon was dry, the pasta was coated in a generic pesto sauce and the aioli for the fries was nothing more than poorly seasoned mayo. The service wasn't great either , my partner and I were the first to arrive for a party of 8. the server asked if we wanted any drinks, i was still deciding, he seemed annoyed and proceeded to bring out 9 glasses of water for only two people sitting. The unnecessary amount of glasses ended up taking space at the very small table we were sitting at. I can think of more reasons why someone should not spend time or money here but I'll let others be the judge of this space. Just as a heads up if you're planning on dining as a group you're better off picking another restaurant. This place is a lounge, with over priced drinks and mediocre food. read more

Miniature food at full size prices! Really average food and expensive. You can easily spend $50 per person and leave hungry (not including drinks) and underwhelmed. The space is cool but the menu is not! read more

Amazing bar service. Best espresso martini I've ever had. Sat at the bar and had great attentive service. read more

Palma - Espresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The setting was really nice and comfortable but the service and food were terrible. Quite a disappointment.

Dress slutty and hip if you want to eat here. I walk in on a Saturday night at 8pm with my boyfriend, both of us dressed very nicely but with jeans - me nice flats and blouse and him nice long sleeve collared button down shirt. We walk up and ask for a table for 2. The restaurant/lobby is not even 1/10 full. The hostess asks if we have a reservation. I say no. Then she asks if we are hotel guests. I say no. Then she literally looks me up and down and says: "We have to save the tables for guests of the hotel." I look around the restaurant, then ask, "All these tables?" She says, "Yes sorry." What has happened to my hometown of Santa Monica? We walk down the street to Ester's/Cassia that is packed, but has an available table they give us right away. Steer clear of Proper Hotel unless you don't mind rude service and attitude. read more

Literally THE WORST service ever. The Palma is in the lobby of the proper hotel. I attended a birthday dinner and i was shocked at how the place wasn't even crowded but it took about 35 minutes before we were even brought water...then over 45 mins before the food was brought out. Drinks weren't being refreshed , we had to ask for bread because the food was taking sooo long and they seemed bothered about it. The food itself was good but the experience with the staff / wait time was terrible. This is the type of place that is ALL hype. Overly trendy and doesn't live up to the hype! Not the treatment I expected at all. TO TOP IT OFF... my card was charged TWICE for the dinner and I had to call for them to reverse the charge lol. Nightmare. read more

Gorgeous space. But Took 40 min to get first drink and at 2 hours later, still waiting for second drink. Bring a flask if you want to drink while here. read more

I dined here on Thursday 9.8 and my server Alejandro was fantastic, once of the best servers I've ever had! He was so kind and checked on us regularly. He also had extensive knowledge of the menu and helped us out with any questions we had. And the food was *chefs kiss* just so good! My start to finish my experience at Palma was phenomenal and I can't wait to come back! read more

If love had a food translator it would say Add Salmon on your avocado toast. Full of flavor...and hints of lime. Very very very well done Palma. Try it for yourself read more

This place is awesome! The food, the ambience and the service are all the best.!! I believe they also have live music or live DJ on certain nights of the week read more

Used to like going to The Proper / Palma but it's reservation only now. That is not cool. Do yourself a favor and visit different bars in the area that are wayyyyy more laid back. read more

We had a really solid experience upstairs at Calabra. Then we came down for food at Palma, we had good service, but far preferred upstairs to downstairs. If you're looking to choose, go with Calabra. read more

I came here last week for some business meetings and I had such a great experience. The design is out of this world, the lunch was sooo yummy and my clients were utterly impressed! I loved it so much my friends and I went to Calabra (their rooftop spot) over the weekend which is on entire new level of coolness, especially for the west side. I'll def be holding more of my breakfast/lunch meetings here and I just found out that they have live music on the weekends! read more