Curious Palate was such a pleasant surprise! Tucked way up on the third floor in the corner, this casual cafe does the impossible: serves high quality food with a fusion/international themed menu, and has reasonable prices. My salad was excellent. The greens tasted SO fresh and the sauces were delicious. Fries were so tasty. The burger was just right and full of flavor. Sauces are all made in house. The menu has so much to offer it made me want to go back and try everything. I usually get nervous when I go to fusion/international restaurants, but this place was truly excellent. The food is just such high quality you can really taste that they take pride in the food and nothing is frozen/ premade. read more

Far exceeded my expectations. We got the squash blossom and shrimp tacos as well as the asparagus salad. Super fresh and tasty. Elliot, the owner was really friendly, "I'm the cook, the dishwasher, little bit of everything." read more

Chicken Satay sandwich was good, I loved the fresh multigrain bread. Sadly the drunken noodles have oyster sauce (shellfish allergy) but the waitress was super friendly and made sure I got something I could eat. The blackberry spritzer had kind of a weird sweet taste for me. The restaurant is at the top of a mall which I didn't realize read more

The Curious Palate - Spicy Thai Chicken Satay Sandwich - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Had a nice dinner at this eclectic restaurant which takes reservations, located on the third floor of the Santa Monica Place mall. Free parking for two hours. It was a good place for us because we had a young child with us. I enjoyed my fresh pea soup topped with bacon and a swizzle of chili oil. My companions enjoyed their dinners, including a Philadelphia cheesesteak and fries, a steak dinner with a spicy sauce, a dinner salad with lots of Mediterranean ingredients, and a hamburger freshly ground with a salad. I think the hamburger is the thing to get here so next time I will have to have that. It was really quite large and looked really delicious. The menu has a lot of spicy items on it, noted with the little red pepper next to them, often times with added harissa, which is great for people who enjoy food with heat. Me, not so much. So I had to work harder to find a dish that I wanted. All produce is bought from the Santa Monica farmers market, and was very high-quality. Service was excellent. They have lots of great beers on tap and are known for that, too. read more

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We needed a reservation for 10 people on a Saturday and it couldn't have been more perfect! Loved the staff. Vibes are down to earth, owner-run. Great beer & wine selection. LOVED their style of farm-to-table food. One of those places you crave. Absolutely delicious! Check out my pictures. We wanted everything on the menu. The large portion of shared nachos was insane - fantastic. The fried seasonal squash blossom tacos - wonderful. We did equal ordering of vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes. The salads couldn't be more flavorful & filling. Burgers looked so good, too. Random, but I was SO excited they used pickled watermellon radish in some of their dishes. I cant find watermellon radish anywhere! The setting was clean & straight forward. It was actually really cool to eat at a space like this, so close to other shops and entertainment. Parking is conveniently located in the same building. Next time i'll plan to spend more time around the mall, and go to the Children's Museum with my kiddos. Pricing was fair for the quality ingredients and how they prepare them. Definitely would recommend, and will search it out next time i'm in town. read more

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Had lunch here on Sunday late morning. Nice server and good food, very filling. The pasta however was undercooked and some of it hard. read more

The Curious Palate - Pasta - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Small hidden gem on the 3rd floor of Santa Monica Place. Specializes in farm to table food. Nice variety and great service. Fat asparagus salad is my favorite but today it's Judy a quick snack of onion rings while waiting for a friend to finish a class at Gourmandise School next door. Indoor and outdoor seating, comfortable vibe, great staff read more

The Curious Palate - Onion rings 10/10 - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Stopped here for a quick lunch, and was pleasantly surprised. Ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad ... it was good and just enough spice! Located on the top level of the Santa Monica Place shopping center with lots of tables inside and on their patio. Also a nice bar area if you are eating solo or want to grab a glass of wine/beer. Service was top notch! read more

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This place must be protected at all costs. It's amazing, staff is amazing, food amazing, I met the owners and they're amazing! Great music, good vibes, just love it. I'm still sitting at the bar writing this, couldn't wait or forget to leave the 5 stars. Gem of SM, love it! read more

Went here for lunch after a morning walk at the pier and I can't say enough good things. It's tucked way in the back on the top floor near the Children's Museum and it's very unassuming. Our waitress Lincoln (sp?) was so friendly and helpful from the moment we arrived and provided all around great service. On top of this, the food was great! Everything was so fresh and flavorful. It was hard for us to choose items bc the menu is so extensive and I hope to return to try some other dishes I was eyeing. The menu is creative, with items from many different cuisines and you can taste that ingredients are from local farms and many items are made in house. I highly recommend this place. read more

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Love this place!! Located at the top floor at the Santa Monica place mall, it's located near the Gourmand cooking school. We were trying to go to Cheesecake Factory but it had a 45 minute wait so stumbled upon this place and my hubs pointed out how they had an extensive kids menu - grilled cheese, pasta, pizza, burger, tenders, etc anything u would expect from a kids menu. They also make their pasta fresh on site. My toddler got a kids pasta with tagliatelle and she LOVED it. The sauce was light butter and cheese. I got the spicy shrimp tacos and they were so tasty and fresh. They also have a really refreshing nonalcoholic golden ale beer which was unique. read more

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This is a Good option to consider for dinner in santa monica third street area. This restaurant is located on third floor of the santa monica place. So also conveniently connected to the city parking structure which is free for the first 90 mins. It has a fusion menu and pretty interesting on their food ingredients combinations. -The persimmon and burrata salad is highly recommended. So fresh and sweet. You can also add protein to any salad. - The pan roasted salmon has a good amount of vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cauliflower). Salmon fillet has crispy skin and tender. - The burgers all taste good and of good quality (grass fed beef), - curry is very spicy. Be aware! Service is friendly and attentive! read more

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I love restaurants with simple and plan decor but great food. Makes me feel I'm not paying for the furniture or wallpaper. It was a great joy to try this local (13th years here) farm to table type of restaurant!! Owner Elliot sources from the Santa Monica farmers market and creates novel fusion dishes , as well as some of the good old comfort foods! Two of my friends come here every Wednesday (yes, they love it so much) so I got to try some of their favorites. We started with the curry cauliflower and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts - both delicious... I texted my vegan friends right away about them! For main dish we ordered the Pea Pasta, Kale and Walnut Salad, the butternut squash soup, and PB&J. The salad was tasty and the portion size was great. The shrimps were great addition to the pasta. The soup was filling. But our favorite was the PB&J!! First of all, the fries that came with it were marvelous- everyone loved them. They made their own peanut butter and jelly and the result was super great taste! Service was beyond friendly! Elliot chatted with us warmly about his foods and other staff members helped made our dining experience fun and enjoyable! This place has been in Santa Monica Place for over 10 years- it looks simple but the dedicated staff adds a lot of charm to it. And in my humble opinion, the foods would most certainly satisfy any curious palate. read more

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Delightful! Healthy and tasty food offerings in a spacious setting with very friendly and helpful staff. Away from the noise of the beach crowd. A real find. We will return on our next trip to this area! Bravo! read more

I was in Santa Monica Place and super hungry, so I decided to duck into the Curious Palate for lunch. I didn't have to wait for a table at all and got seated right away. It was pretty quiet on the day I went. My server was super nice and had great recommendations. I ordered the BLT and it was pretty good, but not great. A decent casual, last-minute lunch. read more

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Great food! Great customer service!! super sweet family, awesome space as well. Came quick and tasted delicious!!! Thank you!

It's worth the effort to find this place. Everything made from scratch and delicious. I had the bahn mi, with chicken. Loved it, though not too traditional. The side of spicy kale ceasar was fantastic! I'd order a full with chicken for lunch. Yum. My other had the turkey sandwich on country white bread. It was big and he ate every bite (except for removing some of the onion... too much onion). He liked the balsamic dressing on his side salad. Though again took off some of the onions. Wish ww lived closer - I could eat here often! read more

The Curious Palate - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Thai salad with chicken chewers - chicken was tender and juicy, and the bell peppers added a nice touch to the salad. However, salad itself fell short - overly saucy, with soggy lettuce, making it less appealing, especially given the $21 price. While the peanut sauce was the highlight, pairing well with the avocado, its thick texture made it better suited for dipping rather than dressing the salad. Lemon tiramisu - as my waiter mentioned, it's "not your typical tiramisu," with a dominant lemon cheesecake flavor. Bread layer was dense and had the texture of a wet pound cake loaded with frosting, which made the dessert feel heavier than expected. Overall, not my favorite but glad to have tried it! Located on the third floor of Santa Monica mall. Casual and comforting dining experience, there's seating indoor and outdoor! I was drawn to the diverse menu options here, staff were quick and super friendly! read more

The Curious Palate - Lemon tiramisu - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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First time here and recommended by a friend. What a pleasant surprise to see the variety of food options for dinner. Had an opportunity to sit at the bar and my server, Abigail, give me a few ideas based on my likings. I went with a chicken wrap and watermelon salad. All their dishes are made fresh to order. If you're in the Santa Monica area, you must visit them on the third floor. The owner Elliot was present and we had a good conversation. Get it to go or enjoy a bite there. read more

The Curious Palate - Tonkatsu Wrap with watermelon salad - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This place is incredible. Everything made in house! Great portions! Try the nachos! Our server Lincoln was a doll. She gave us suggestions and each one of them was so tasty and original. Most cheerful server I've had in too long. Steak Frites with aioli. Finally a restaurant that cares about their frying oil! Fries are fried in rice bran oil. Not bad! Prices are good and portions are large. Quality is excellent. read more

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Great service from Mark and staff; noticed our table with children and started on their orders first -- thoughtful. Tasty food, wide variety. Will be back. read more

Santa Monica Place fixed the jumbotron, so this update has been a long time coming. No more annoying ads blasting during dinner, which honestly was the only knock against the place. Still one of the best restaurants in Santa Monica. The food is fantastic, the menu is creative and has range, the service is reliable, and the vibe is nice. I moved out of the city but I miss this spot a lot. We used to do birthdays here. It is one of those places that feels genuinely special and easy to come back to. read more

Was here during Thanksgiving break and this is a long due review. I tried their stuffed squash blossom tacos and Mac and cheese. The blossom stuffed tacos were to die for. Such a creative and tasty amazing food it was.. I wouldn't mind to drive again from san diego to just eat this squash blossom tacos again. Undoubtedly stopping here for getting this any time I am.on this way or even specially for this.. yumm read more

What a great find! This restaurant is tucked away a bit, 3rd floor of the mall, but once you find it, you'll be happy you did. :) Came on a Wed. evening, not too busy yet, ordered the veggie sandwich with a watermelon salad for the side--AWESOME! The best w'melon salad ever. I had the Curious salad w/no added protein and goat cheese instead of feta--so delish and filling! The best part is that everything seemed SO fresh and I love that they source locally. Hubby had a local beer I can't recall but said it was great. Service really stunk, but I'll write it off to a bad night and won't dock the review! Maybe she was new to serving (older lady w/longish blonde hair) and was normally a host/owner, but the food made up for it! read more

They have an awesome chef, who ever he or she is...he/she is a 5 star chef...every plate that was served looked exquisite and elegantly presented and the taste was delicious too, ingredients tasted fresh. The garlic fries was crispy and taste was extraordinary. The burger that our daughter ordered was juicy at every bite, and the Brussel vinaigrette was absolutely pleasant to the eyes and palate. The restaurant seems clean and airy. A great place to have a quick lunch while shopping. For the service team who served us, thank you for sharing your experience with us in regards of the recent fire and so thankful to God that you guys were safe. read more

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I just finished work and needed a bite to eat before the long trip to Holly. I got the small chicken tortilla soup and a coke. Sounds boring right? No it was do gourmet ! Veggies chicken avocado were chopped up very small and was quite spicy but not a boring salsa but a complex flavor. It was really amazing. Only $13 for the soup. Beautiful Vietnamese hostess super friendly down to earth. I was the only customer but felt like a celebrity. Love this place read more

I was fortunate enough to join a group that selected The Curious Palete as the evening's dining destination. In all honesty, my knowledge of the eateries in Santa Monica was limited as it's been years since making it to town. The good news is that this is a solid destination for those in town and looking for something tasty and unique. If you are so inclined to have something with loads of flavor and something for just about anyone, you should stop in and give it some attention. Don't be hesitant because of its location as it sits atop the mall, is easy to reach and is nicely arranged to provide patrons with outdoor and indoor seating with a restaurant vibe that you would find in downtown Santa Monica. In reviewing the menu, it is very impressive. There is an abundance of appetizer options with unique twists with the infusion of spices and worldly flavors. On this occasion, I had a chance to sample a Garlic Humus plate, Curry Cauliflower, and Hot Popcorn Chicken. The Humus was rich with flavor and was served with a generous serving of Pita wedges. Very tasty and something that I recommend. The Curry Cauliflower was tasty as well and was accompanied with a cilantro yogurt sauce. Great combination of flavors and accented the cauliflower well. The Popcorn Chicken was loaded with spices and a favorite of mine. Great on their own, but it was served with a ranch dressing. For the entrée, I chose the Shrimp Tacos. They are served with three that are loaded with shrimp and taco goodness. They are served with great Japanese pickles, harissa and the cilantro yogurt that was a great combination of flavors. This was a solid restaurant. The services was simply outstanding with glasses topped with great frequency, a very friendly staff and regular visits to ensure we had what we needed. If you are a fan of spices and looking for something unique and tasty and in the neighborhood, I encourage you to stop by. It's a winner! Bon Appetite! read more

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Very mediocre food.... We were excited to try this place after looking at their creative menu but the food was not good... we got their "popular" items- pork belly bahn mi, Chinese style pasta, the seafood curry, Thai chicken and the Brussels sprouts. All foods tasted off. No flavor? The pasta was cooked well at least. For the price of the foods I would go somewhere else around to eat. On the plus side, the staffs were really nice read more

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What a lovely little spot! My three year old daughter and I enjoyed a delicious lunch after a fun morning at the nearby children's museum. The server was so lovely and we felt super welcome there. My daughter chose Mac and cheese plus a side of veggies and fruits. I opted for the shrimp wrap with the side kale salad. Everything was so tasty and super fresh. The Mac and cheese was so good omg. A great place to check out if you're in the mood for something different yet healthy. read more

The Curious Palate - Wasabi Shrimp Wrap, Kale and Maple Candled Pecan Salad, Mac and Cheese, - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The food here is greatSolicitous and helpful staff.The go to place at Santa Monica place. An eclectic menu of gastropub foods,sandwiches and salads.Check them out when at this mall read more

My friends and I came here on a whim for dinner and didn't have to wait for a table at all. We decided to sit at a table outside because the vibe with the mall lights was nice. The waitress was so friendly and welcoming. When we ordered, she listened to all of our other substitutions and made sure she got it all down for our group. We got our food pretty fast. I got the acropolis burger with the roasted corn on the side. They make everything here themselves, including the sauces! It was a good portion for me and I felt full and happy afterwards. read more

The Curious Palate - The Acropolis Grass-Fed Beef Burger - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We discovered this delightful restaurant while attending a charity walk at Pacific Palisades Park this weekend. The food is FANTASTIC. WE ordered Orange Chicken, Pea Pesto Pasta and Mac & Cheese. Each dish was fresh and delicious!! The pasta is made fresh! Best Mac & cheese I've had in a restaurant in years!! My 6 year old grandson ( who is EXTREMELY hard to please) loved every dish. The staff is very welcoming and friendly! The owner is a really great person. He shops for the fruits & vegetables for his restaurant each Saturday at the local 3rd St Promenade Farmers Market. When you're in the area, please give this restaurant a try. It's on the 3rd floor of the Promenade, next to the Cooking School. You'll be pleasantly surprised at your dining experience!! Hope to return soon!! read more

5 Star! I love the food here. I have been here several times but I haven't updated my review in awhile. There are many vegetarian options. My husband who is more a "meat and potato" guy loves The Curious Palate and this says a lot! We arrived on a weekday, after the noon lunch and we were seated immediately. My friend and I ordered the same salad! The Thai Chicken Satay salad. It was delicious and presented beautifully. The staff here work hard. This restaurant is located on the 3rd Floor/ top floor of the Santa Monica Place Mall, towards the eastside. read more

Best restaurant in Santa Monica 3rd street area hands down. The food is exceptional. Everything is fresh from the farmers market and they make their own pasta and their own bread. Everything you get is sooo tasty even something that seems simple like the veggie panini is actually a gourmet meal. They really make an effort with every dish and it's all delicious. The staff are all so kind and there's rarely a wait if you go early. Also amazing for parents! Well sometimes take our toddler after going to Cayton and they always bring his food first and the pasta with butter and cheese is legit his favorite meal that he ever eats. He's so happy there. Best spot for family lunch or for a date night. The owner is also suppperrr nice. Go there!!! read more

Once you find this spot (it's tucked away in the "mall"), you can look forward to an interesting menu filled with unique combinations. The ambiance was actually very good as there an outdoor area (even though it's on the mall's third floor). We ordered the double pork chili, which was excellent and I got the Thai satay salad with steak. The salad had fresh avocado, which was tasty. But the salad itself was soaked in dressing. I didn't eat it. That part was a waste. That said, the steak skewers were incredible. So to me, that made up for it - but it did lose a star since the salad part of the salad wasn't enjoyable. My husband would give his a 5 star. He got the burrata and nectarine salad. He kept saying "this is great." He ate every last bite. Not sure if his had less dressing or he just didn't mind. Regardless that steak on the salad made it worth it. Such great flavors and so tender. read more

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Enjoyed a late lunch here on Sunday. Ample seating, both inside and outside. The brussels sprouts were the best I've eaten - scrumptious...and the scoop of burrata complimented them nicely. The acropolis grass-fed beef burger was wonderful as well. Wish I lived closer so I could try everything on the menu! Great service, too! read more

The food is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully made. You can really taste the quality in every dish. The menu has great variety, the portions are just right, and the service is consistently warm and attentive. read more

My buddy and I went to both the Santa Monica Place mall and 3rd street promenade and were deciding on lunch, and were recommended The Curious Palate by a security guard:) We were really hungry so we checked it out. We scanned the menu and it looked good, so we gave it a try. The whole staff there were very nice, and Katie was our waitress. My buddy ordered the Mediterranean salad, and I got the cheeseburger combo with fries. Wow, great, fresh food. We were both very happy with the portions and the quality. Katie was great as well. Super friendly and attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone going to the Santa Monica new mall. Decent pricing as well. read more

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We did not expect to find an excellent, farm-to-table and family run restaurant in Santa Monica place. They make a lot from scratch: bread, pasta, desserts and the food is sourced locally which explains the quality of the salads the soup, and the pastas we had. Kids had sandwiches and loved them. I can not recommend it enough especially when you have to make a lot of people happy. The service was great too, they brought sauces to the kids to try before ordering so that they would be happy with their sandwiches. read more

To be honest, this was a 2nd choice because the line at The Cheesecake Factory was too long, and I'm glad it was!!! This restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of the mall at the southern end of the 3rd Street Promenade (away from the food court). We chose it because of the high rating (4.7), and THEY could seat us immediately. I bet too many people miss this place because of the location. Since it's LA, I always like to mention parking. We were there for several hours on a Sunday, and we parked in one of the many city garages. No validation is necessary, but it still only cost $11. Both outdoor and indoor seating (the breeze was great outside), and our waitress was beyond! She explained several things in the menu before we even ordered, and she managed so many special requests (and I mean a LOT... my guests are picky eaters). Everything came out quickly and exactly as requested. The picture of this burger doesn't do it justice. I split it, and it was just enough. (If you're really hungry, get your own.) The fries are SOOO crispy. Their homemade ketchup is more like a light BBQ sauce, but they have Heinz at the ready. We were told everything is made on-site. I also shared the Chicken Satay skewers. That peanut sauce was SOOO good! While marked as spicy, I thought it was just right. What else can I say? If I lived closer, I'd be a regular. To be frank, it's not fine dining, but who cares? The quality, pricing, and service are perfect! Avoid the chains and support businesses like this! read more

The Curious Palate - The Curious Palate Grass - Fed Beef Burger - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California